Out To Win: The Story of America in France

In Short

This book offers a firsthand, contemporary perspective on the United States’ entry into the First World War. Through the eyes of an observer who has already experienced the trenches, the work chronicles both the practical, industrial-scale military buildup of American troops in France and the parallel "war of compassion" waged by the Red Cross. It is a historical document that captures the fervent idealism and profound trauma of the era, standing as a direct appeal for an enduring alliance between the English-speaking nations to safeguard the future of peace.

The Story

The narrative begins with a sharp critique of the "fools" and cynics on both sides of the Atlantic—those who, through ignorance or inherited prejudice, sow discord between Britain and the United States. The author insists that the war provides a "God-given chance" to unite the Anglo-Saxon races. He moves from this polemic into a vivid, sensory description of American troops arriving in London and France. He portrays these men as efficient, restless, and "gravely absorbed," driven by a clear sense of duty but frustrated by the time required to turn their vast industrial potential into an effective fighting force.

As the narrative progresses, the focus shifts to the logistical reality of the American effort. The author visits massive construction sites where the American genius for "big business" manifests in the rapid erection of depots, refrigerating plants, and infrastructure meant to sustain a million men. He describes the sound of the steel-riveter—the "fate motif" of American endeavor—as a source of both pride and homesickness for those stationed in the French countryside. This practical side of the war is contrasted with the "war of compassion," a humanitarian campaign led by the American Red Cross.

The story takes a somber, emotional turn when the author visits Evian-les-Bains, the entry point for "repatriés"—French civilians, mostly women and children, released from German labor because they are deemed useless or "worn out." Here, the author witnesses the human cost of the conflict, describing in harrowing detail the physical and psychological toll on these broken people. He details the work of American doctors, nurses, and relief workers who labor to heal the victims of this "hell." He highlights the specific efforts of units like those from Smith College, who work amidst the ruins of villages deliberately destroyed by retreating German forces.

The book concludes by tying these strands together. The author argues that America’s delayed entry was not a lack of commitment, but a necessary period of education for a diverse populace, eventually galvanized by proof of German atrocities. He asserts that the soldiers of Britain, France, and America, having suffered together, are now "promise-keepers" bound by a shared sense of justice. The work ends on an optimistic, if heavy, note: if the "magnanimities" of these nations can be sustained after the armistice, the war may truly be the last one, building an "impregnable wall for peace" that secures the world against future terrors.

How It Unfolds

The critique of division The author opens by aggressively challenging the critics and pessimists who discourage transatlantic friendship. He frames these cynics as dangerous, arguing that their skepticism plays directly into the hands of enemy propaganda.

The arrival of the troops The narrative shifts to the streets of London, where the sight of American soldiers marching creates a palpable sense of expectation. The author observes the American spirit—restless, alert, and impatient—as they wait to enter the trenches.

The machinery of war The focus turns to the transformation of the French landscape into a vast American supply base. The author marvels at the speed of construction and the "business-like" efficiency with which the Americans approach the conflict.

The war of compassion The tone darkens as the author tours the relief efforts at Evian and the devastated areas. He depicts the Red Cross not merely as an auxiliary service, but as a vital, moral force fighting against the dehumanization of the enemy.

The dream of unity In the final section, the author synthesizes the military and humanitarian efforts into a unified vision. He posits that the shared sacrifice on the battlefield and in the hospital creates a permanent, necessary bond between the Allies.

The People

The book is less a character study of individuals and more a portrait of collective archetypes. Central to the narrative are the American soldiers, characterized as "dreamers" who approach war as a business. They are portrayed as remarkably consistent in their behavior, whether in New York or a French village, marked by an "excessive gravity" and a profound impatience to finish their "job."

Contrasting them are the "fools" and "pessimists," a category that includes both the cynical intellectual who doubts the necessity of the war and the propagandist who spreads falsehoods about British or American motives. The author presents these figures as pathetic or malignant, fundamentally lacking the "faculty for a wider generosity" that the war demands.

Then there are the humanitarians, particularly the women of the relief units, such as those from Smith College, and the American doctors at Evian. These individuals represent the "war of compassion." They are depicted as saints of a sort, who "live their hearts into the hands and feet of the spiritually maimed." Finally, the repatriés—the French civilians returning from German servitude—serve as the silent, suffering center of the book. Their presence forces the reader to confront the concrete results of the enemy’s cruelty, acting as the primary catalyst for the author’s fervent moral arguments.

In Its Own Voice

"The extraordinary thing about generosity is its eagerness to recognise itself in others."

The author uses this observation to argue that true heroism in the war naturally seeks out and respects the similar sacrifices made by other nations.

"The soldier from the U.S.A. seems to stand always restless, alert, alone, listening--waiting for the call to come."

This description captures the author’s impression of the American soldier’s unique demeanor while stationed in the ancient settings of France.

"I can think of no modern parallel for their blank despair; the only eloquence which approximately expresses it is that of Job, centuries old."

The author invokes biblical language to convey the overwhelming suffering of the refugees he witnesses in the devastated regions of France.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book is an argument for a "moral alliance" between the United States and the British Empire, predicated on the idea that they are "promise-keeping" nations. It explores the tension between the cold, industrial requirements of modern, mechanized war and the spiritual necessity of compassion. The author is deeply concerned with the "spiritual geography" of nations, arguing that victory is not merely a matter of territory or resources but of maintaining a common, unwavering idealism. He posits that the war is a crucible, and that the ultimate, most dangerous enemy is not just the German military machine, but the cynicism and lack of vision that threatens to pull the Allies apart before the work of building a peaceful world is finished.

Why Read It Today

Readers interested in the intellectual and emotional climate of 1918 will find this a fascinating, if intense, primary experience. It is a work of high-stakes advocacy, written with the urgency of someone who has just returned from the front. The prose is evocative and often beautiful, particularly when describing the ruined landscapes of France or the sudden "music" of a steel-riveter in the woods.

However, a modern reader should be prepared for the author’s period-specific rhetoric, which is often blunt and occasionally exclusionary. His language regarding "Anglo-Saxon" identity and his sharp, uncompromising dismissal of dissenters reflect the intense nationalist fervor of the era. The book does not attempt to be a balanced history; it is a polemic designed to shape the post-war world. While the length is manageable, the intensity of the author's moralizing and his occasional reliance on the prejudices of the Great War period may feel jarring to contemporary sensibilities. Yet, for those looking to understand the "why" behind the American entry into the "war to end all wars"—and the idealistic hope that a stable, lasting peace could be forged through shared sacrifice—this book remains a compelling, if deeply partisan, artifact.